The Providence metro is home to 1,673,807 people (up 3.6% over five years), with a median household income of $85,646. Typical rent of $2,166/month works out to 30.3% of the median household income — near the 30% affordability threshold (Census ACS + Zillow, September 2026).
The share of Providence's workforce by sector — the base of tenant demand:
| Sector | % of workforce |
|---|---|
| Education & health care | 26.5% |
| Retail trade | 11.5% |
| Professional & management | 11.1% |
| Manufacturing | 10.8% |
| Arts, food & hospitality | 8.6% |
Education & health care is the metro's largest employment base — sectors like education and health care are recession-resilient anchors for rental demand.
Rents at 30.3% of median income leave moderate headroom; underwrite rent growth conservatively. Market pricing, yields and the Star Score live on the Providence market page; run a deal in the calculator.
At the 30%-of-income affordability rule, typical rent of $2,166/month suggests a household income around $87,000/year. The metro's median household income is $85,646.
By workforce share: Education & health care (26.5%), Retail trade (11.5%), Professional & management (11.1%) (Census ACS 5-year).